The Portuguese, who previously brought Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid to the UCLA, likes the central location of the campus, the favourable humidity and the fact his squad can roam freely without being bothered by selfie-crazed students.

Manchester United will be headed back the US this summer (Image: Manchester United)

It has taken time to pin down exact dates this summer, given the tricky scheduling issues surrounding the World Cup in Russia, but United look set to return to L.A the day after the Moscow final.

"We are extremely excited to host once again," a UCLA source told MEN Sport.

"It will be interesting how many players will be involved in the World Cup who may not make the trip due to their success - but we will be ready."

United are planning to reassemble for pre-season training one week later than they did last summer to accommodate some of those in action in Russia.

Up to 18 United players could take part in this summer's tournament, but Eric Bailly, Alexis Sanchez and Antonio Valencia are among the few who will definitely miss out.

Sanchez

Initially, United's touring party looks set to be dominated by those players who are not involved at the World Cup, returning loanees like Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Andreas Pereira and internationals who exit the tournament in the early stages.

Following Euro 2016, for example, Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford, Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair and David De Gea all travelled on United's ill-fated tour of Asia after bowing out in the last 16 before June was even out.

It is not yet clear how many friendlies United will play in the U.S. - the International Champions Cup schedule has yet to be finalised - but they enjoyed a five-game tour there last year before playing two further friendlies in Norway and Ireland.

As it stands, United's planned window between July 16 and August 1 would give them another week to arrange at least one more friendly in Europe before the start of the Premier League season on August 12.